The baseball game had even more meaning for players as they held a special tribute to their 19-year-old former teammate, Richard Beltran.

Beltran was killed 10 days earlier when he was climbing on rocks at Panther Beach between Santa Cruz and Davenport with friends. Beltran fell into the ocean and drowned.

Before the first pitch was thrown, the Haybalers observed a solemn moment a silence for the athelte.

“He was enlightenment on the team. He'd cheer everyone up. He was a great ballplayer and worked hard every day,” starting pitcher Hunter Hayworth said of Beltran.

Coach Billy Aviles said the teen was a Little League legend with a great smile.

“My son was breaking records since he started playing when he was five years old, and he was excellent in school,” Beltran’s mother, Joanne Beltran, said. "He maybe talked a little bit too much, but that was just part of his personality. He loves to make people laugh."

"I was truly blessed for that short time I had with him on this Earth,” Joanne Beltran said.